Primary thrombocythemia

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Blood cells

Essential thrombocythemia; Essential thrombocytosis

• Bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory system, urinary tract, or skin
• Bleeding from the gums
• Bleeding (prolonged) from surgical procedures or tooth removal
• Bloody stools
• Dizziness
• Easy bruising
• Headache
• Nosebleeds (epistaxis)
• Numbness of the hands or feet
• Ulcers on the fingers or toes

The condition may even cause strokes in some people.

This condition is often detected on blood tests done for other reasons, before there are any symptoms.

A physical exam may show an enlarged spleen or liver. There may be abnormal blood flow in the toes or feet, as well as skin damage caused by that abnormal blood flow.

Other tests may include:

• Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy
• CBC
• Genetic tests (to look for a change in the JAK2 gene)
• Uric acid level

Review Date: 02/28/2011
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

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